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One speaker observation from the New York Hifi show.

I was just at the New York Hifi show, and perhaps because of the size of the rooms, all speakers were toed in, and most were toed in severely. The result was very little effective imaging.  Most sound appeared to come from one central spot between the speakers.  I realize hotel rooms are not ideal, but even in the larger rooms, noticible toe ins were prevalent  I don’t believe this positioning shows systems off to their best advantage.  To me, speakers pointing straight ahead produces the best imaging.
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twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 
Toe-in or lack of same is also very often used to tame or heighten the treble. It all depends on the tweeter’s lateral performance and how much output drops off off-axis. To some degree this may outweigh imaging. Also, I think some speakers are specifically designed to be pointed straight ahead, and some designed to be toed-in. Again, this may be related to the designer’s handling of treble output.

P.S. I agree 100% with newbee.  I can't tell you how many speakers I've pulled further out, and how many more I've wanted to (almost every photo I see).  It's really only the Audio Notes, Larsens, and speakers specifically in that camp that are exceptions...
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
Twoleftears,

You could well be right about distancing the speakers further from the wall, but it’s not feasible in my situation.
Meanwhile, I’m experiencing really good imaging the way it is.
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,315 posts
 

Almost without exception, if you pull the speakers further out, you'll get a greater depth of soundstage.

(And for me that's important--I like speakers where the front plane of the soundstage is at or even a little behind the drivers, and where the soundstage extends well to their rear--you can actually get it appearing to be deeper than the wall behind them.)

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
I can actually arrest that you’re right.  A friend of mine who has the same speakers, but places them  further from the back wall definitely has more front to back imaging than I do. I was wondering why.  You’ve answered my question.Thank you.
Ironically, though, his side to side imaging is not as good.  He has only a slight toe in.  
 if I want to keep my current marital status, though,  it may not be possible for me to move them.
rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano OP
2,653 posts
 
GoldenEar’s speaker positioning recommendation is “8 inches or more from the wall behind the speaker” for balanced bass.
No mention is made concerning front to back imaging.
Strange.
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